Book Review – The Proposition by Katie Ashley

Gah! Ok, so I knew there was a cliffhanger when I went into this book and early on in the book there is a big “hint” at what its about that I picked up on, so on all accounts, I was ready for it but holy hell my heart was in knots by the end!!!!

*falls down on knees and begs Katie Ashley for an early release of The Proposal*

I have to say, the synopsis of this book was what grabbed me. The minute I read it, I just knew that I had to read this book!!

With her 30th birthday looming over her, Emma feels her biological ticking. Loudly. But unfortunately, there is no sign of Mr. Right anywhere even near the horizon. So she decided to give single motherhood a shot but when her gay best friend backs out of his promise to donate sperm to her cause, she is devastated.

And then in swoops her gorgeous, commitment phobic, serial womanizer, coworker Aidan with a proposition. *waggles eyebrows* He will father her child with the catch of it being conceived naturally.

“Look… Emma wanted the baby, so I agreed to help her.”…
“Ah, you’re like her stud horse or something?”
“Not funny.”

And despite her early misgivings, Emma’s desire for a child wins out and she takes him up on his offer.

But Aidan was a man with serious commitment issues – who balked at any hint of being tied down to something permanent – no matter how much fullness it could bring to his life. And we are left to find out whether or not what he is beginning to feel for Emma will grow strong enough to overcome the man he is….

“…Aidan Fitzgerald is not husband material. But he’s sure as hell stud material.”

I really liked seeing these two people trying to take something so personal so seriously. And adorable watching their real feelings develop even while trying to maintain a “professional” (hmm, wrong word, but you know what I mean) attitude about the whole thing.

There were a few times where I found things a little rushed, and a moment or two that I wasn’t sure about but overall, I just enjoyed the story.

Aidan… I kind of went back and forth on him. I started out grinning from ear to ear and loving where everything was going, totally looking forward to his character’s growth and change and, especially once those started, my heart started to feel whole, but his commitment issues really tore at my heart and frustrated me.

At 90% I was ready to slap him.
At 94% I just wanted to throttle him.
At 95% I was ready to throw my kindle at him and tell him to go fuck himself.
At 96% I just wanted to hug Emma and geld him (and no, trust me, I’m not being too harsh, just read it, you’ll want to do the same thing)

But….. then *holds up one finger* … by 98% despite everything, I saw a spark that gave me hope for him being truly redeemable.

HOWEVER…..

Please please PLEASE may The Proposal have one of the most epic freaking grovels in book history!!!!!!!!!!

I love stories of characters who are able to catch themselves before they go too far, realize they are on the wrong path and do everything in their power to make things right again so I’m very, very, VERY much looking forward to book #2.

With MUCH. EPIC. GROVELING. (yes, its worth mentioning twice)

So yeah, you should know before you read it that the ending is a cliffhanger (clearly, lol)…

But. Big BUT here. –> Its not the kind where it just ends in the middle of a scene, but rather just ends at a point where it gives you the feeling like things will be fixed in the end but right at the moment you finish, you’ll be willing to barter your everloving soul for the sequel.

This book was a fun read. The story is not too long – I read it in one evening. There is humor, banter, a good plot (this book isn’t just about the sex!) and leaves you desperate to see where the characters will end up.

And book 2, The Proposal, has thankfully be bumped up to an early 2013 release by popular demand *wipes brow*

I loved all three books. I agree 100% on wanting to strangle Aidan in the first book. I am so glad a read these, another recommendation from you. Thank you. Another series I wish I could erase and read all over again. Not that it stops me from reading them again anyways.